Newsmakers

Awarded St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lance Berkman figured that, even after struggling through an injury-riddled 2010, he still had good years ahead of him. Berkman made that clear in 2011, hitting .301 with 31 home runs and 94 RBIs to win the National League comeback player award, announced Thursday. Boston outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury won the American League award.

Retired Former heavyweight champion David Haye retired, ending a nine-year career in which he won world titles at two different weights and fulfilling a promise to quit on his 31st birthday.

Announced A simple sentence made official what was already apparent: Linebacker Aaron Curry was headed from Seattle to Oakland in exchange for two draft picks. The announcement included a statement from John Schneider, Seattle’s general manager: “On behalf of Mr. Allen, coach Carroll and the entire Seahawks family, we want to thank Aaron for his contributions to the Seahawks … ”

• President Barack Obama will have the seat of his choice at the Carrier Classic hoops game on Veterans Day on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson. The White House announced that Obama has accepted an invitation to attend the Nov. 11 matchup between North Carolina and Michigan State, the first college basketball game on an active flat top.

• North Carolina’s trustees will meet today to approve the hiring of Tulsa athletic director Bubba Cunningham as the school’s next athletic director, a person familiar with the situation said.

Pleaded The brother of former NHL strongman Derek Boogaard pleaded guilty to a gross misdemeanor in his brother’s overdose death, admitting to what his attorney called “an error of judgment” in destroying evidence in the case.

Dismissed Idaho State dismissed senior running back and return specialist Tavoy Moore, citing conduct detrimental to the football team.

Banned Soccer star Wayne Rooney will miss the entire group stage of the 2012 European Championship after receiving a three-game ban for kicking a player during England’s final qualifier.